Quick Summary:
- From JFK, practise on Belt Parkway eastbound, then exit to calmer bayside streets.
- From LGA, use Grand Central Parkway to a quiet service road pull-off.
- Stop early at a well-lit petrol station to set mirrors and sat-nav.
- Avoid first-30-minute tickets by obeying bus lanes, no-turn rules, speed cameras.
Landing in New York and collecting a car hire when you normally drive on the left can feel intense, especially when you exit JFK or LGA straight into fast, multi-lane traffic. The good news is that you can build confidence within the first hour if you plan a low-stress warm-up loop, pick a safe place to pull over, and know the common “gotcha” mistakes that trigger fines and tickets.
This guide focuses on practical routes that let you rehearse right-side lane discipline, turns, and merging without immediately facing Manhattan-level complexity. It also highlights places where you can stop safely to adjust mirrors, seats, and sat-nav, because that one minute of preparation reduces most early errors.
If you are comparing airport pick-up options for car hire around New York, Hola Car Rentals has dedicated pages for car rental New York JFK and car hire New York JFK, plus nearby airport alternatives like car hire airport Newark EWR and Budget car rental Newark EWR. The driving principles below apply whichever airport you depart from.
Before you leave the car park: a 90-second right-side setup
Do this before you join the exit lanes, while you are stationary and safe. It prevents the classic “I can’t see, I’m flustered” moment at the first merge.
1) Mirrors for right-side reference. Set your seat and steering wheel first. Then angle the left mirror slightly wider than you might at home, because your “near side” is now the passenger side and it is easy to under-check it. Set the rear-view mirror so you can use it as a quick anchor when changing lanes.
2) Sat-nav voice and first destination. Put the first destination as a simple, nearby stop, not your hotel. A petrol station, large supermarket car park, or rest area makes a good first waypoint. Turn on spoken directions and increase volume so you are not looking down.
3) Remind yourself of the big three. Keep right, turn into the nearest lane, and check left mirror for overtakes. Say them out loud if it helps. The first 10 minutes are when muscle memory is strongest.
4) Identify the “ticket traps” in advance. In New York City and surrounding parkways you will see speed cameras, bus lanes, “No Turn on Red” signs, and strict stopping rules. If you expect them, you drive calmer.
From JFK: low-stress practice routes that keep you out of Manhattan
JFK exits funnel you towards the Van Wyck Expressway (I-678), Belt Parkway, and local Queens routes. For right-side practice, you want predictable lanes, fewer aggressive merges, and easy places to pull over.
Route A: Belt Parkway eastbound to Jamaica Bay, then surface streets
Why it works: Belt Parkway eastbound (towards Long Island) generally feels more “open road” than heading towards Brooklyn and Manhattan. You still get real New York driving, but the decisions are simpler: keep right, match speed, and follow exits.
How to do it: After leaving JFK, aim for Belt Parkway eastbound. Stay in the right lane unless you are passing. Your goal is not speed, it is practising lane position and gentle merges. Take an exit that brings you off into the Howard Beach or Broad Channel area near Jamaica Bay. These neighbourhood streets have lower speeds and clearer intersections, ideal for rehearsing right turns, stop signs, and parking manoeuvres.
What to practise: Smooth acceleration into the right lane, judging gaps, and confirming blind spots on the left before moving out to pass. When you return to the parkway, you will rehearse joining traffic again with less stress.
Route B: JFK to Rockaway Boulevard and quiet grid practice
Why it works: A local-road warm-up can be calmer than immediately joining a parkway. Rockaway Boulevard and the surrounding grid let you repeat the basics several times, especially turns into the correct lane and reading parking signs.
How to do it: Set your sat-nav for a nearby large car park or petrol station first, then follow signs to local roads rather than the fastest expressway route. Once you are comfortable, you can step up to the parkways.
What to practise: Two-way stop behaviour, scanning for pedestrians at crossings, and identifying one-way streets. In Queens, one-way streets appear frequently, and the wrong turn can quickly put you in complex traffic.
From LGA: gentle practice loops with simpler merges
LGA sits close to major routes like Grand Central Parkway and the Triborough Bridge approaches. You can still find “soft start” options if you avoid the bridge and Manhattan approaches until you feel settled.
Route C: Grand Central Parkway eastbound to a calm reset point
Why it works: Grand Central Parkway eastbound takes you away from the bridge funnels. It is still a parkway, but decision points are more spaced out, giving you time to confirm lanes and signage.
How to do it: After leaving LGA, follow signs for Grand Central Parkway eastbound. Commit to staying right and letting faster traffic pass. Choose an early exit into a residential area with a safe, legal place to stop, then do a quick “reset” before continuing.
What to practise: Lane discipline and the American habit of keeping a steady flow, rather than heavy braking. A smooth, predictable car is easier for others to drive around, which lowers your stress.
Route D: Flushing Meadows Corona Park perimeter roads
Why it works: Park perimeter roads often have clearer sight lines, fewer surprise intersections, and slower speeds than commercial streets. Flushing Meadows Corona Park is also a handy landmark if you need to re-orient yourself.
How to do it: From the LGA area, work your way towards the park via main roads, then do a gentle loop. Avoid peak times if you can, because event traffic can increase complexity.
What to practise: Right turns on green with pedestrian checks, left turns with oncoming traffic judgement, and interpreting lane markings that appear late near junctions.
Safe pull-over spots: where to stop without breaking rules
New York has strict stopping and parking enforcement. “Just pulling over for a second” can still cause trouble if you block a lane, stop near a hydrant, or stand in a no-stopping zone. Prioritise places designed for vehicles to pause.
Best options soon after JFK or LGA: large petrol stations, fast-food car parks with clear entry and exit, and shopping centre car parks. These locations are forgiving because you are off the main road, you can take time to set mirrors, and you can re-check sat-nav without pressure.
What to avoid: stopping on narrow residential streets where you may block driveways, standing next to a fire hydrant, or pausing on bridge approaches and parkway shoulders. Parkway shoulders are not a safe “reset” area unless it is an emergency.
What to do during the stop: re-check your sat-nav route overview, confirm which lane you should be in for the next major turn, and take a moment to adjust seating so your right foot feels natural on the pedals. If more than one driver is present, decide on simple spoken prompts like “keep right” and “next turn nearest lane”.
First-30-minute mistakes that commonly cause tickets or fines
Many visitors drive carefully but still pick up penalties because the rules differ, signage is dense, or a habit from home kicks in. These are the issues that most often bite in the first half hour after airport pick-up.
1) Turning into the wrong lane. When you turn right, aim to land in the nearest right-hand lane unless signs or markings direct otherwise. When you turn left, aim for the nearest left-hand lane. Drifting into another lane mid-turn looks minor but it triggers horn blasts and near-misses.
2) “Right on red” misunderstandings. In many US places you may turn right on red after stopping, but New York often restricts it with signed “No Turn on Red”. Treat it as: only turn if you see it is permitted, you have fully stopped, and pedestrians are clear. If in doubt, wait for green.
3) Bus lanes and camera enforcement. NYC bus lanes can be camera enforced and time-restricted. Do not use a marked bus lane to skip a queue unless signage clearly allows it at that time. If you are unsure, stay out.
4) Speed cameras and sudden drops. Speeds can drop near schools, works, or certain parkway stretches. It is easy to follow the flow and miss the sign. Use your sat-nav speed display as a second check, but prioritise road signs.
5) Stopping rules, hydrants, and “standing”. New York distinguishes between stopping, standing, and parking, and signs can be stacked. Do not stop within the marked distance of a fire hydrant. If you need to regroup, go to a proper car park.
6) Late lane changes at exits. Airport-area signage comes fast. If you miss an exit, continue safely and re-route. A last-second swerve across solid lines is more dangerous than a two-minute detour.
7) Toll and lane confusion. Some crossings and roads use cashless tolling. Do not stop at a toll point looking for a booth. Stay in your lane, follow the electronic toll signage, and sort payment through your rental agreement terms.
Techniques to settle into right-side driving quickly
Anchor your position to the centre line. Many left-side drivers drift too far right, because the kerb feels closer. Instead, keep the car centred by using the lane line on your left as your main reference.
Use the left mirror more than you think. Passing traffic will be on your left. Make “mirror, signal, shoulder check” a deliberate routine.
Choose simpler intersections first. Rehearse turns on quieter streets before tackling multi-lane junctions. Confidence builds faster when you repeat successful manoeuvres.
Time your departure. If you can, avoid leaving the airport at the sharpest commuter peaks. Less traffic means more time to read signs and make smooth decisions.
How to build your first hour: a practical step-by-step plan
Step 1: Make your first destination a nearby pull-in location, not your final stop.
Step 2: Do 10 to 15 minutes on a parkway heading away from Manhattan, then exit.
Step 3: Spend 10 minutes on calm local streets practising turns, stops, and parking.
Step 4: Re-join the parkway and continue to your actual destination once you feel settled.
Step 5: If you feel stress rising, repeat the reset. A second short stop is better than one rushed journey.
FAQ
Q: Is it realistic to practise right-side driving immediately after JFK or LGA? A: Yes, if you plan a short warm-up route away from Manhattan, stop once to reset, and avoid last-second lane changes.
Q: Where should I pull over to adjust mirrors and sat-nav near the airports? A: Use off-road places like petrol stations or large car parks. Avoid parkway shoulders, hydrants, bus stops, and narrow streets where stopping may be restricted.
Q: What is the most common first-30-minute mistake for visitors? A: Turning into the wrong lane, especially drifting wide during a right turn. Focus on turning into the nearest lane and checking for pedestrians.
Q: Can I turn right on red in New York? A: Sometimes, but many junctions prohibit it with “No Turn on Red” signs. If you do not clearly see permission, wait for green.
Q: What should I do if I miss my exit on a parkway leaving the airport? A: Keep going safely and let the sat-nav re-route. Sudden swerves across lanes or solid lines are far more risky than a short detour.
